Nestled on the most remote point of the northwest corner of Washington State, the Makah people, along with their close relatives across the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Vancouver Island, share a rich tapestry of oral traditions. Central to these traditions is the Makah Creation Legend, a captivating narrative not focused on a single transformer figure, but rather on the actions of two powerful beings known as the Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things. This legend speaks to the Makah worldview, their relationship with the natural world, and the origins of both animal and plant life.
The story unfolds in a primordial era, a time when the earth was devoid of human presence. The landscape was characterized by vast stretches of grass and sand, populated by enigmatic creatures. These beings were neither fully animal nor fully human, existing in a liminal state, possessing traits of both realms. The world awaited its true inhabitants, the people who would come to be known as the Indians.
Into this nascent world stepped the Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things, brothers born of the Sun and the Moon. Their name, Ho-ho-e-ap-bess, directly translates to "The Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things," a title that encapsulates their purpose and power. These divine siblings descended upon the earth with a specific mission: to prepare it for the arrival of a new race, the indigenous people who would eventually call this land home. Their task involved a profound transformation of the existing creatures, shaping them into the diverse forms of life that would populate the world.
The Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things summoned all the creatures before them. With deliberate intention, they began the process of metamorphosis, reshaping the beings into the animals, birds, trees, and smaller plants that would come to define the ecosystem. Each transformation was purposeful, reflecting the creature’s original nature or addressing a specific need of the future inhabitants.
One creature, notorious for his thievery, was known for pilfering food from the skilled fishermen and hunters. The Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things, recognizing the need for balance and justice, transformed him into a Seal. His arms were shortened, his legs bound together, leaving only his feet capable of movement. Cast into the vast ocean, he was given a new existence, one where he would have to rely on his own skills to survive. "Now you will have to catch your own fish if you are to have anything to eat," they declared, ensuring that he would learn the value of honest labor.
Another creature, a master fisherman always seen perched upon the rocks or wading through the shallows, his long fishing spear ever at the ready, was distinguished by a small, round, white cape draped over his shoulders. He was transformed into the Great Blue Heron. His cape became the distinctive white feathers that adorn the heron’s neck, while his fishing spear was transformed into the long, sharp, pointed bill that it uses to this day to catch fish.
A creature who embodied both the skill of a fisherman and the vice of a thief, having stolen a necklace of shells, was transformed into the Kingfisher. The stolen necklace became a ring of feathers encircling the Kingfisher’s neck, a permanent reminder of his past transgression. Yet, his skill as a fisherman remained. He continues to watch the water intently, and when he spots a fish, he plunges headfirst into the water with a distinctive splash. The Makah Creation Legend highlights how past actions shape present form.
Two creatures, known for their insatiable appetites, devouring everything they could find, were transformed into Raven and Crow. Raven was given a strong beak to tear apart his food, and his cry became the distinctive "Cr-r-ruck!" Crow, his wife, received a similar beak and a loud "Cah! Cah!" call. Their transformations reflect their gluttonous nature, forever bound to scavenging and tearing apart their meals.
The Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things then turned their attention to the son of Bluejay. They posed a choice: "Which do you wish to be – a bird or a fish?" The young creature, unwilling to commit to either option, replied, "I don’t want to be either." In response, they transformed him into a Mink. "You will live on land," they declared, "You will eat the fish you can catch from the water or can pick up on the shore." This transformation demonstrates the Two-Men’s adaptability, accommodating the creature’s unique desires while still fulfilling their overall plan for the world.
Realizing the importance of wood for the survival and prosperity of the new people, the Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things turned their attention to the plant kingdom.
One creature, known for his toughness and strength, was called forward. "The Indians will want tough wood to make bows with. They will want tough wood to make wedges with, so that they can split logs. You are tough and strong. We will change you into the yew tree," they proclaimed. Thus, the yew tree became a symbol of resilience and a vital resource for the Makah people.
Several smaller creatures were summoned next. "The new people will need many slender, straight shoots for arrows. You will be the arrowwood. You will be white with many blossoms in early summer," they were told. The arrowwood became a source of essential materials for hunting and warfare, its beauty adding to the richness of the landscape.
A large, stout creature was then called upon. "The Indians will need big trunks with soft wood so that they can make canoes. You will be the cedar trees. The Indians will make many things from your bark and from your roots," the Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things declared. The cedar tree, revered for its size, strength, and versatility, became a cornerstone of Makah culture, providing materials for canoes, houses, clothing, and ceremonial objects. The Makah Creation Legend emphasizes the deep connection between the people and the cedar.
Recognizing the need for fuel, the Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things summoned an old creature. "You are old, and your heart is dry. You will make good kindling, for your grease has turned hard and will make pitch. You will be the spruce tree. When you grow old, you will always make dry wood that will be good for fires," they stated. The spruce tree, even in its old age, would provide a vital source of warmth and light for the new people.
Another creature was designated to become the hemlock. "Your bark will be good for tanning hides. Your branches will be used in the sweat lodges," they were told. The hemlock, with its practical uses, became an integral part of the Makah people’s daily lives and spiritual practices.
A creature known for his cross temper was transformed into a crab apple tree. "You shall always bear sour fruit," the Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things decreed, a reflection of his disagreeable nature.
Another creature was transformed into the wild cherry tree, so that the new people would have fruit and could use the cherry bark for medicine.
A thin, tough creature they changed into the alder tree, so that the new people would have hard wood for their canoe paddles.
Thus, the Two-Men-Who-Changed-Things meticulously prepared the world for the arrival of the new people. They shaped the landscape, transformed the creatures, and provided the resources that would sustain the Indians. The Makah Creation Legend serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of respecting the natural world. It explains the world as it was when the Indians first inhabited it, a world carefully crafted by the divine brothers, Ho-ho-e-ap-bess, for the benefit of the Makah people.